The Northyard list is an active forum mailing list that will notify interested persons as to events, and any happenings at the beeyard. Additionally, members of this list can post questions to the list.

Note that by being a member of this list, you will receive all postings to the list including notices, questions, and digests.

Because this list allows posts, all subscriptions require moderator approval in order to prevent spam. Any list member who posts spam, advertising, or objectionable material will be immediately removed from the list and banned from readmittance.
Replies to questions are sent directly to the poster of the question. Please contact the list admin if you feel this should be changed.

To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the northyard Archives.
Using northyard
To post a message to all the list members, send email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

You can subscribe to the list, or change your existing subscription, in the sections below.
Subscribing to northyard

Subscribe to northyard by sending a mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or alternatively by sending a mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it -request with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line.  Both work the same way, so it is just personal preference.  Upon sending this mail, you will receive a reply from the mailing list server telling you to verify your subscription, and also giving you a link and an opportunity to edit you mailing list profile.  A direct link to the subscription form is not available to prevent spambots from harvesting the mailing list email address.  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or use the Contact Us form to send a mail to Admin.

This is a closed list, which means your subscription will be held for approval. You will be notified of the list moderator's decision by email. This is also a hidden list, which means that the list of members is available only to the list administrator.

Beekeepers:

Several of the group wanted to go out to the apiary and check the winter survival out.  We arrived at about 1:30 Sat Feb 22.  The ground was covered up to the top of the hives.  It was difficult getting in as the snow would not support your weight and you would sink down to your knees.  We did go through the hives.  We started winter with 19 and now have 12 that are alive.  Two of them may not make until we can do some moving of bees and brood.  Most had sufficient honey but those that were light we took honey from the dead ones and moved it.  Most of the ones that died appeared to have queen related problems.  Usually the clusters were very small and showed  pollen supplement that had not been eaten.  Several had clear signs of queen problems: one with a queen cell that had not been sealed and still had royal jelly in it. Others that had lots of pollen which is characteristic of a colony that the queen was not working well in.  None of the hives had starved that had a large cluster of dead bees.  Most of the small clusters did in the end die of starvation as they cannot move being so small.  One hive that is still alive has a bad case of nosema.  Most of the hives that died had feces within the hive but it was likely that once the cluster gets so small they cannot go out for cleansing flights.  Some of the dead and alive hives had the inner covers placed on the hive upside down so the bees had a hard time getting to the upper entrance.  

It is likely that the snow will be on the ground for at least another month.  We will check and see when we could go out for the next inspection.  Right now it will be difficult for many to see as there is little parking and too much snow to do any work.  We will need to get out as soon as possible and get the old equipment removed and move bees around.  We will need to get some additional packages from the 5 planned.  My guess is if we want a full apiary we should plan on at least 7 packages plus splitting 7 hives getting us back to 24 colonies.  This year we will have to do a better job of requeening.

Regards.